Sobeys Warehouse Workers End Strike

MILTON, Ontario — United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175 said its members have ended their strike against a Sobeys[3] warehouse here despite opposition to the new contract by union leadership.

“I think they got tired of being on strike, and saw the money that was being offered,” Luc Lacelle, regional director, UFCW Local 175, told SN. He said the union remains concerned about the duration of the contract Sobeys had offered — nine years, vs. more commonplace three-, four- or five-year pacts — although he noted that the contract was tweaked to allow for potential cost-of-living increases in the final three years.

The base hourly rate of increase over the nine-year span is $5.31, he said. The hourly rate is currently $21.60. Other adjustments included changes in severance pay in the event of layoffs and an adjustment to the definition of part-time employment.

As previously reported, 428 workers at the facility broke off negotiations with Sobeys last month and went on strike, citing the unusual, nine-year deal. Workers approved the slightly revised contract on Monday, and returned to the facility on Tuesday after 29 days on the picket line.